Nearly 2,000 people have fallen ill after eating meals distributed under Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals programme this week, raising fresh concerns over food safety as the initiative expands across the country.
About 1,950 students, teachers and Islamic boarding school pupils in five provinces reported symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain between Tuesday and Thursday.
The largest outbreak was reported in Rembang, Central Java, where 752 students and 25 teachers at State Senior High School 1 Lasem became sick after eating meals provided under the programme, known locally as MBG.
Another major outbreak occurred in Sidoarjo, East Java, where 730 people, mostly students at Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school, were affected. Authorities said 706 had been discharged and were recovering at home.
Suspected cases were also reported in Agam, Bener Meriah and Tana Toraja. No deaths have been reported, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of the illnesses.
The latest incidents have added to concerns over the safety of the government’s flagship programme, which was launched in January 2025 to provide free nutritious meals to students and other beneficiaries.
Health Ministry data show that MBG-linked food poisoning has affected 50,059 people in 560 cases across 245 districts and cities in 36 provinces since the programme began.
Officials said most previous outbreaks were linked to violations of food safety procedures.
Authorities are now inspecting around 27,000 meal distribution centres across the country. At least 833 kitchens have already been closed over hygiene and sanitation violations.
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